“In the past 20 years, wages for [New York City’s] renters have increased by less than 15 percent, adjusted for inflation. In the same period, the average monthly rent for an apartment in the City increased by almost 40 percent.” -From, Social Indicators Report, April 2016.

“From [fiscal year] 2009 to [fiscal year] 2015, after the elimination of the Advantage rental assistance program in the 2011 State budget, the census of individuals and families residing within the DHS shelter portfolio increased by 65%.”

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is comprised of 2,500 buildings and approximately 180,000 units.The average annual NYCHA household income in 2015 was $23,311 and the average monthly rent was $464.

I reside in a shelter that forbids you to have a table or a chair in your room. However, you are allowed to have a flat screen television. How is one to process that stipulation?

Such a mandate encourages a lifestyle where there is assimilation to lying around and watching television. There is no way for you to comfortably sit up in a room designed in such a manner. The bed is barely a couple of inches off of the floor. Therefore, sitting in a posture that isn’t damaging to your body is out of the question.

If your life necessitates that you read, write, use a lap top, etc., it is not an option that you will be able to do so in a comfortable, or even healthy, way in a shelter that doesn’t allow residents to have a table or chair.

The no table/no chair rule doesn’t foster an atmosphere of productivity. As a matter of fact, it makes me feel like I’m being institutionalized in manner that is similar to imprisonment. Again, what message does that send to a person who is residing in a homeless shelter?

No, I’m not anti-animal shelters. I just find it ironic and bizarre that in a year where homelessness has broken Great Depression records in New York City, the above picture is the cover of a New York City newspaper. Shouldn’t the city be primarily focused on PEOPLE. Here’s a novel idea: Find the people homes and they will shelter the animals.

The cover article discusses New York City’s mayor’s proposed budget for the city’s upcoming fiscal year. The article describes the state-of-the-art animal shelters that will be built in two boroughs. However, there is only a small-print mention of an allocation for homeless shelters for citizens of the city. The amount of money earmarked for homeless shelters for people isn’t specified. It is listed in the article under, “Other Funds For,” and is described as “for a homeless plan focused on prevention and rehousing.”